Britain’s Oldest Nurse Daisy, 84, Among The Gold Winners at Wales’s Social Care Oscars
Britain’s oldest nurse Daisy Richards was among the stars of the social care Oscars in Wales.
Daisy, 84, who qualified in 1958 and is still going strong with no plans to retire, struck gold at the prestigious Wales Care Awards in Cardiff, organised by Care Forum Wales and hosted by TV and radio presenter Jason Mohammad.
She was among a quartet of winners of the blue riband Dignity in Care Award which is sponsored by the Welsh Government.
The other recipients were trainer Sophie Smith, from the Pendine Park care organisation in Wrexham; Olivia Ferrari, Hospital Director at Heatherwood Court in Pontypridd; and Natalie Grant, of Options Autism in Flintshire.
There was double delight for Daisy, who works at the Fairways Newydd Nursing and Dementia Care Home in Llanfairpwll on Anglesey, because she was also awarded a bronze in Outstanding Service category.
Humble Daisy conceded that picking up the gold award was “a bit of an achievement at the age of 84”.
She said: “I’m still in a state of shock at getting the gold award to be honest, I still don’t think it has registered.
“The thing is, I really still enjoy my job, every bit of it, I enjoy every day at work looking after the dementia patients.
“And I really think it’s true that age is only a number.”
Welsh Health Minister, who presented the Dignity in Care awards, said: “It’s been really inspiring seeing the winners come on stage and being acknowledged for the incredible work they do.
“Can I thank Care Forum Wales and also take this opportunity personally, to thank the entire social care workforce in all parts of Wales for the incredible work that you do.
“It is really important to acknowledge the contribution that people in this room and beyond are making day in, day out and to celebrate the kindness and compassion and putting the individual at the heart of absolutely everything that you do, which is so fundamental.”
Meanwhile, Glyn Williams, a “heroic” former care home owner who built a military-style decontamination unit to keep his residents and staff safe during the Covid pandemic, was presented with a Special Recognition Award.
Ex-RAF man Glyn Williams, 63, who ran the Gwyddfor Residential Home in Bodedern in Anglesey, until he retired earlier this year, was described as a “fearless and formidable” champion of social care after the virus struck.
As well using his knowledge of chemical, nuclear and biological warfare to convert the home’s atrium into a decontamination facility, Glyn campaigned tirelessly for politicians to give more financial support to the sector as it battled the deadly disease.
The award was presented by Mario Kreft MBE, the chair of Care Forum Wales, who said: “There were thousands of Covid warriors who rose magnificently to the unprecedented challenge but Glyn was undoubtedly our Top Gun.”
“He was a fearless and formidable advocate not only on behalf of his own residents and staff but also for the social care sector as a whole.”
The Spirit of Care Award went to a married couple who have cared for twin brothers with significant additional needs for nearly 30 years.
Gary and Michelle Jones, who live at Bedlinog near Merthyr Tydfil, also won gold in the Outstanding Service category.
“I didn’t expect the second award at all,” said Michelle, “but it was very nice to be recognised. There are many people, not just Gary and me, who care for others in their own homes and it was humbling to receive not one but two awards.”
There were joint gold winners of the Sir Bryn Terfel Wales Care Award for Promoting Arts in Social Care, TV actor and singer Emyr Gibson, who’s also a Creative Practitioner at Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd Care Home in Caernarfon, and music therapist Ceri Rawson, from Denbigh.
Also among those honoured was Steve Milsom, the Honorary Secretary of the Cymru Older People’s Alliance, who received the Craig Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mario Kreft added: “There are only winners here tonight so it is only fitting that the finalists will receive a gold, silver or bronze Wales Care Award.
“I trust that they will continue to inspire those around them as role models and encourage others to aspire to even greater heights and in the months and years to come.
“This awards ceremony is our opportunity to pay tribute and to celebrate the talent and commitment that is improving the quality of life for thousands and thousands of people throughout Wales.
”We take our hats off to them.”
